Q: Is it OK to have sex while I have a yeast infection?

A: It’s not a great idea. For one thing, a yeast infection usually causes vaginal tissues to become red, swollen, itchy and dry. When you add the friction of intercourse, odds are that you’ll experience an uncomfortable burning sensation… and vaginal tissues may develop tiny tears that slightly increase your risk of contracting a blood-borne sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV or hepatitis B or C. There is also a chance that the yeast infection could spread to your partner. And if you are being treated for the infection with antifungal vaginal cream, sex will be messy.

So, overall, it is better to wait to have sex until your treatment is done. Over-the-counter and prescription antifungal vaginal preparations typically require three to seven days of use to clear the infection. If you or your partner cannot wait that long, the oral prescription medication fluconazole (Diflucan) is available as a single-dose pill. Two days after you have taken it, the yeast should be gone and you can have sex again—comfortably. Caution: Oral antifungals carry a small risk of causing liver problems, so if you develop jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), dark urine, flulike symptoms and/or abdominal pain, alert your doctor.